Woman seriously injured in fall from cliff

September 23, 2012

HEDGESVILLE, W.Va. — Crews had to cut an opening in some trees Saturday in a heavily wooded area near The Woods resort so a rescue worker could be lowered from a helicopter to help a woman who had fallen about 40 feet from a cliff, officials said.

Two helicopters were sent to the site after it was determined that the woman could not be removed using conventional ground-rescue techniques, according to Maryland State Police.

One helicopter with a specially trained aerial rescue worker was sent to the scene in the area of Maverick Trail and a second helicopter from Cumberland, Md., was sent to the scene, state police said.

After it was determined that using a helicopter’s hoist was the best way to remove the woman from the scene, she was lifted from the area and flown to the Winchester (Va.) Medical Center, state police said.

State police said the woman suffered serious injuries in the accident, which occurred at about 11:30 a.m.